Showing posts with label gardens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardens. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Quick Stop in London

On my way home to Long Island, I had a one-day stop in London.  If it were not for the British flags everywhere, I would not have even known anything was going on where I stayed near Manor House tube station.  It was a quiet Saturday afternoon.  It felt like a kind of eye of the storm in my travels.  


My friend's garden is apparently full of frogs.  This sign has been erected to warn visitors.


The whole area is covered in blackberries!  In the afternoon, we went for a walk looking for somewhere to get a pie and a pint. 

Railway Fields via QYPE


Out of an ornate gate, a woman appeared and asked us, "Do you live in the neighborhood?  Did you know that there is a nature reserve in your neighborhood?"  She invited us in to explore.  It was a special event in which Railway Fields Nature Reserve was open to the public on a Saturday afternoon.  Inside, we found tons of blackberries, idyllic walking trails, a little seminar on beekeeping, and a little pond.


We brought home quite a bag of blackberries.  Oh how I love foraging!  We used them to make a lemon polenta blackberry upside down cake!



Yum!  While the Olympics are exciting, it was lovely to have a calm break in my travels for walking, foraging, and baking.

Now, Amy and I are relaxing in Greenport.  Amy has increased her antique hat collection and today, hopefully if the weather holds out, we'll go swimming in the bay.  I am so happy to be home.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Hooray for the Internet!

This week has been so busy for me. The summer is always full of birthdays, goings away, graduations, and all types of events for me. This summer has been no different. It is nice to have this evening to actually spend at home and catch up on reading some of my favorite blogs! Here are a few things that I have seen around the internet in the last few weeks. Hope you enjoy!

Love this stove!
via Pink Wallpaper
Lovely dresses!
via Nest Pretty Things
Such a gorgeous door.
via The Yellow Door Paperie on Tumblr
I need this next to my door.
via The Chive
Love this drink cart and lemonade server. It is made of completely of recycled glass!
via Eco Kitchen
Gorgeous hats!
via Fancy Fine
This shirt is amazing.
via Tick Tock Vintage
Would love to see the Matterhorn in person. I have only been lucky enough to see the Disney version!
via Lost in America
I am so doing this for my trip to Germany next week <3
via The Daily Varnish
<3 Amy

Friday, June 22, 2012

Wallenstein Palace

Wallenstein Palace

Prague, Czech Republic


Hercules Slaying the Dragon 
 Last weekend, Amy took us on an updated version of Amy's Walking Tour of Prague, which combined Amy's Walking Tour of Prague and Amy's Scary Walking Tour of Prague with a visit to the Wallenstein Palace.  Though it was hot, we gleefully frolicked in the gardens which we happily discovered have no entrance fee.



The Wallenstein Palace was built from 1623-1630 by Albrecht von Wallenstein.  Wallenstein seems to have been a rather proud fellow.  He wanted a palace as grand as Prague Castle.  The palace and gardens are very obviously done in the Italian style.  As with many places in Prague, the palace has a sordid history.  


Albrech von Wallenstein only got to frolic around his palace for one year after its completion.  Wallenstein was an important military figure during the 30 Years War, fighting on the side of the Habsburgs.  Wallenstein apparently made secret negotiations with Habsburg rivals, for which Ferdinand II had him assassinated.  Also (according to Wikipedia), in the gardens, there is a lane of statues depicting classical themes, all of which are copies.  The originals only held their places for 18 years before being stolen by a Swedish army.  These originals still remain at Drottningholm Palace in Sweden.  

I've heard tell that there are albino peafowl in the gardens, but we saw only this one.



Tiny door!



The Wallenstein Palace is currently home to the Czech Senate.  The palace remained in the Wallenstein family until 1945, when it became property of the state.


These merfolk leave a lot of tail to be desired--though I appreciate the mussel shell wings.

I like pretty gates.

Did I mention we had fun?  Some of us did, at least.


This was definitely a stop worthy of visiting if you are in Prague!  It is in Mala Strana, near so many other great sites.  Take an hour sometime to visit!  Or go just to hang out.  We saw so many people just enjoying a warm, sunny day in a beautiful park.